about

Lily Russo has been practicing yoga most of her life. It has been a tool of transformation, health, and empowerment since her teen years. Her initial practice of yoga asana lead her to study all the other facets including pranayama, meditation, and yoga’s sister science, Ayurveda, as well as other influential disciplines, primarily Buddhism, the Tao, and plant medicines. Through these studies she has come to an understanding that all systems of life are intricately interconnected, and practices which lead us to recognize our relations to our higher selves and to all other beings as well as the natural world create a life of harmony.  As a teacher Lily’s goal is to impart her love of these practices on her students, so that they may use them as tools towards achieving mental calm and clarity, as well as physical strength and grace.

Lily attended the Shambava School of Hatha Yoga in 2008 for her initial training, and in 2015 completed a Prana Vinyasa training led by Monica Mesa, developed by visionary Yogini Shiva Rea. Over the years she has participated in over 700 hours of teacher trainings.  She crafts unique classes based on the needs and abilities of her students, the time of day and year, and her intuition around what is energetically calling for attention in the moment.

Her other work as an independent artist allows her to channel her life force energy built through these practices into colorful works of creation. She is open to all mediums, especially painting, mosaics, and textiles. With her husband, she leads Fire Walks, another transformational tool of self empowerment.

Weekly Schedule

Mondays 5:45-7PM, Prana Vinyasa All Levels at The River Studio, 121 W Grand Ave., Mancos, CO

www.mancosriverstudio.com


Wednesdays 5:45-7PM, Strength and Grace Prana Vinyasa All Levels

at Yogadurango, 1485 Florida Road Suite C-201 (upstairs and to the right of Star Liquors)

www.yogadurango.com

Contact to set up private lessons.

Events

Past Workshops:

Your Amazing Spine: Anatomy and Alignment

A backbending workshop with Lily Russo

Your spine has two invaluable functions: supporting your body weight and protecting your spinal cord. Due to the shape of our spine, daily habits and shallow breathing, we often suffer back pain or injury and rounded posture as we age. Practicing regular lengthening and strengthening of our spine and back keeps our posture optimal and our body healthy, and knowledge of the safest ways to do this is essential. Learn about the anatomy of your spine and the best ways to open up,  starting with the basics with some advanced variations offered to move securely into deeper backbends.

Saturday March 10th, @Yogadurango on 1140 Main Ave.

2:30-4:30pm

$25, students $18

Learn the Gayatri Mantra and its Significance

The Gayatri Mantra is a popular chant in yoga classes all around the world, and rightfully so. It is one of the oldest and most repeated prayers and carries a powerful message and dedication to the path of bringing your highest potential to light. Learn the words and meaning and practice chanting this powerful mantra.

Thursday April 27th, 2017, at Yogadurango on Florida Rd. 7:30PM

Origins and Evolution of the Namaskar

A weekend of total rejuvenation, this women's spring cleanse retreat includes yoga, meditation, a kitchari cleanse, Ayurveda education, a cooking class, and lots of self-care. Lily Russo will facilitate yoga twice a day, classes on Ayurvedic self care routines, Abhyanga, and how to make kitchari, the wholesome, delicious Ayurvedic meal.

Activities during the retreat include:

Yoga, breathwork, and meditation

Labyrinth walking meditation

Class on Dinacharya- Ayurvedic daily self-care routine

A class on how to make Kitchari, so you can continue your cleanse at home and add a new easy and wholesome meal to your repertoire of recipes.

Enjoyable, organic, cleansing Ayurvedic meals with an amazing group of like-minded women

Abhyanga- instruction and ayurvedic oil will be provided for you to give yourself a private full body oil massage. Abhyanga stimulates the lymphatic system, purifies the body, nourishes the adrenals, and leaves us feeling grounded, whole, and vibrant

For an additional $5 off, pay by cash or check (preferred). Payment plans available. Email lilyrusso@gmail.com for instructions on payment.

FAQS

What is kitchari and what is a kitchari cleanse? A Kitchari cleanse is an Ayurvedic diet that removes toxins, clears the liver, brightens the skin, and leaves you feeling nourished and satisfied, rather than deprived and hungry. Kitchari is a complete meal of basmathi rice, mung beans, spices and vegetables, with toppings of cilantro, lime, avocado, and ghee. It is easily digestible and gives the digestive organs a break so they can rest and refresh themselves.

What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda means the knowledge of life in Sanskrit, and it is a sister science to yoga. It is an integrated and holistic system of health care that has evolved over thousands of years. It looks at all elements of a person's life: physical, mental, emotional, environmental, and genetic, to get to the root of health problems and bring about optimal and vibrant health based on an individual's unique constitution.

Will we only eat kitchari all weekend? We will eat kitchari for lunches and dinners. In the mornings we will eat delicious oatmeal with fruit and honey (optional). It is suggested to forego coffee to assist your cleanse, however coffee will be available by request at breakfast, Herbal teas will be offered throughout the day, and coconut herbal chai will be served for dessert.

Will I feel satisfied eating this way? This kind of cleanse is fulfilling and nourishes us on many levels, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Rather than feeling hungry as in some juice or liquids only cleanses, a kitchari cleanse is easy and pleasant and you can eat until you’re satisfied.

I am vegan/gluten free, can this retreat support my diet? This retreat is vegan and gluten free friendly, with dairy options.

What is the lodging like? We will be staying at the mountain retreat Sophia Retreat Center, located in the mountains of Dolores, Colorado. The large, wooden lodge is spacious and beautiful. The rooms are comfortable and lovely. Retreat fee is based on double or triple occupancy in each room, with your own bed. Each room has its own bathroom. Nearby on the grounds is an enchanting labyrinth to walk. During free time you can explore the many trails of nearby Boggy Draw Recreation Area.

Can I share a room with a friend? Yes, please make mention in your registration form to be placed in a room with your friend or family member.

Isn’t the kitchari cleanse supposed to be at least 3 days? Yes! The kitchari making lesson will prepare you to complete one or more days of kitchari cleansing at home. Every participant will receive a recipe.

Please email with any other questions.

100 Hour self-discovery yoga immersion

Durango, January to May 2019

Dive deeper into your yoga practice. This comprehensive 100 hour immersion will take you on a journey of personal transformation as you study the many facets and gifts of yoga. Facilitator Lily Russo will guide you to dive into yoga studies beyond the hour and a half yoga class setting, develop your own personal practice, and connect with the other students in your training. Special Guest Instructors include Ayurvedic Specialist Amita Nathwani, Kirtan Musician Cheryl Birchard, Ayurvedic Practitioner Sheryl McGourty, Lynn Wickersham teaching the Chakra system, and Meditation/ Empowerment Guide Oliver Scott-Tomlin.

Investment: $1100 paid in full by December 1st. $1200 after December 1st. Payment plans available. $300 deposit due with Registration to secure your place. Some partial scholarships/trades available.

Location: Studio 10, Smiley Building, 1309 E. 3rd Ave. Durango, CO.

Time and Dates: 10am-5pm, Jan 12 and 26, Feb 16, March 2, 16, 30, April 13, 27, May 11, and May 25.

Course Topics:

• Asana- Developing a personal practice

• Principles of Anatomy and Alignment

• Mindfulness

• Introduction to Ayurveda, Koshas, and Chakras

• Pranayama

• Meditation

• Yoga Sutras and Baghavad Gita studies

• Chanting and Mantra

60 hours contact time, 40 hours assigned readings and homework.

Beginning after the first class, students will begin a daily home practice Sadhana in each time period until the next class and asked to write a reflection for each one. 

Testimonials for the 100 Hour Self-Discovery Yoga Immersion:

"'Wow' what an experience. I started Lily's immersion class looking for a physical change and I left with a complete new spiritual awareness. I highly recommend Lily's immersion course for anyone looking to find peace, start a home practice or learn more about the world of yoga. Lily takes this "yoga" course far beyond the western practice of yoga and instills  knowledge of ancient yoga spirituality and teachings into every class. Lily puts her all into this course and guides each student to the dedicated practice of yoga. Lily is a compassionate, knowledgeable teacher who is well versed in all the paths and limbs of yoga.- Donitza Ivanovich'

"Lily's enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge was very inspiring throughout the Immersion. Lily challenged us out of your comfort zone with great compassion and flexibility. I learned a lot and would highly recommend this Immersion for anyone considering learning more about yoga and wishing to deepen in their own practice. It is a great pre-teacher training course." - Cindy Meyer

"This immersion provided a warm and accepting space to learn and develop a personal practice. Lily and her guest teachers had so much knowledge to share and were very willing to answer questions and listen whenever needed. I highly recommend this immersion if you are looking to further develop an existing practice, or are trying to figure out how you can better incorporate the practcies of yoga into your everyday life," - Heather Perry

"Lily's Yoga Immersion was a beautiful light in a very dark winter for me. Her joyful guidance on the journey within will help my light shine brighter in my practice and in my life." - Lee-Ann Hill

"I'm really enjoying Lily's yoga immersion course. She's a great teacher and it's a comprehensive course that feeds the body, mind, and soul. Great for anyone, at any level." - Gail Mallin

"Lily’s Yoga Immersion has propelled my hatha yoga practice to new heights! My daily Sadhana has become fuller and deeper with developing intention, more variety, and greater focus. Lily introduces yoga studies beyond creating your own asana practice including pranayama, chanting and mantras, meditation, Sanskrit, Ayurveda, applied anatomy, the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. I would recommend this 100 hour self-discovery to beginning students ready to dive in or more experienced practitioners who want to take their practice to the next level." - Colette Cummings

"I got exactly what I wanted out of this immersion. I now have a well rounded foundation for morning Sadhana and embracing an all around yogic mentality within my life. It was also very enjoyable and fun while still maintaining a serious learning environment." -Kai Ceballo

"In search of deepening my yoga practice I found this 100 Hour Yoga Immersion. I don't think I could have asked for a better more understanding yoga teacher. Lily is very accomodating to your needs and understands that everyone has room to grow and pushes you into trusting yourself and deepening your practice. The variety of content gives such a great overview and introduction to yoga"-Lizzie Zoll

Testimonials

Kim Cox

"Lily's classes are beautifully designed to nurture and transform the whole being. They can be physically challenging but also balanced, playful and inspiring. Lily is humble, open and heart felt in everything she does. She really cares about her students and welcomes everyone of any ability to share in her passion of yoga. Her classes have helped me to embody my life  in a more authentic and meaningful way and I'm so grateful! "

Sharon Dent

dentsadventure.com

"As international teachers and travelers, we can’t keep track of the people who skitter in and out of our lives. Some encounters are short, entertaining and casual, such as a chat with tourists who heave their oversized backpacks in the corner of the fruit shake shop and share their travel stories. Other encounters have an enduring impact. In this post, I introduce you to Lily Russo, a yoga teacher who visited Vientiane recently and changed my life.

When we returned to Laos after our month-long winter break, I received an email from the Vientiane Yoga Studio saying there would be a guest teacher for the next couple weeks. After just one class with Lily, Tony and I both developed a big crush.

Colorful feminine tattoos devoid of dark outlines embellished her arms – rainbow finches, symbolizing her parents and her brother, on one arm, and elegant blooming flowers on the other. Her soothing voice offered specific instructions to attain proper alignment in the asanas while making each person in the class feel like we were doing everything just exactly right. Her vinyasa-flow-style classes challenged us to find our edge, to focus on the breath, to revel in our strength and flexibility. Energizing music, often lyrical takes on traditional mantras, accompanied her practice. Emerging from shavasana at the end of each class, I always felt happier and more relaxed than I did at the start.

For three weeks, I didn’t miss a class with Lily. I also caught myself chanting softly and practicing pranayama (breathing exercises) at school. I felt joyful and light, even when faced with life’s daily frustrations. Patience, not usually an attribute assigned to me, suddenly came quite easily.
A week after Lily’s departure, I still feel the inner peace she brought to our hectic little city. My history of on-again off-again yoga obsession suggests I’m unlikely to maintain that gentle connection. But I hope I can."

Monica Mesa Dasi

monicamesayoga.com

Lily Russo is one of the most integrated yoginis I have ever met! She walks the talk in every way, has a beautiful and embodied practice, and is a gifted teacher. Her dedication to the path of yoga and conscious living has impressed me and is an inspiration for anyone she crosses paths with. 

Contact

Email lilyrusso@gmail.com, visit my Facebook Page, connect with me on Instagram, or use the Contact Form below.